Updated: 11 Aug 2026 16:31 BST |
4 min read
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The agent of Liverpool defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe has confirmed that his client is set to leave the club on loan as the youngster seeks to secure a UK work permit.
The 18-year-old arrived on a pre-agreed €3 million deal from Austria Vienna this summer, and he has been a standout performer for the Reds in pre-season so far. Ndukwe has immediately won the trust of new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola.
However, the Austria youth international can only play one more game for Liverpool. The club’s final friendly clash of pre-season against Como on 16 August will be Ndukwe’s final match for the Reds for the foreseeable future.
That’s because the teenager has yet to qualify for a UK work permit, preventing him from featuring in competitive fixtures for his new club. As a result, he will have to leave the club on loan before Deadline Day.
It is expected that Ndukwe will be loaned out for the entire season, but if he were to join the right club and play enough, there is a scenario in which he could secure his work permit and be eligible to feature for Liverpool as early as January.
Ndukwe agent confirms talks
Speaking to Danish outlet Tipsbladet, Ndukwe’s agent, Georg Lederer, has confirmed that he is in “dialogue” with interested clubs. It follows The Athletic revealing that the defender is “weighing up strong offers from Portugal, Germany and Denmark.”
“I can’t say which clubs we are in dialogue with, but I can confirm that we are in dialogue with Danish clubs about Ifeanyi Ndukwe,” Lederer acknowledged. “The only thing I can say is that it is not about the top clubs in Denmark.
“We are also talking to several foreign clubs, but right now we have to decide in collaboration with Liverpool where Ifeanyi will fit best. We are looking at several different parameters.
“First and foremost, it is about Ifeanyi getting a lot of playing time, and then Liverpool is also looking at what type of football clubs play, as they want him to play in a high-pressing defence, so it is a bit like what you see in Liverpool.
“Since Ifeanyi has just joined Liverpool, it is of course a loan deal without an option to buy. But for now I can’t say much more.”
It remains to be seen where Ndukwe will end up, but it is already clear that he won’t join Randers FC. According to the Danish publication, the club were in serious talks over a deal, but they ultimately could not offer the 18-year-old enough playing time.
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